More Convictions Connected To Corrupt Police Sergeant Overturned

CHICAGO — Cook County prosecutors on Tuesday agreed to dismiss 19 convictions connected to corrupt Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts.

State's Attorney Kim Foxx said her office will not oppose petitions from 48 people who are requesting their cases be dismissed in two court hearings set for this month as part of the continuing investigation of cases handled by Watts, who was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2013 of stealing money from an FBI agent posing as a drug dealer.

Since then, more than 100 people convicted of crimes connected to Watts have had their cases dismissed.

"The people whose names were read today are victims, victims of a failed system, and nothing will ever be able to give them back their time away from their families or their missed opportunities in life, but we have a responsibility to act," Foxx said. "The number of claims against this one Sergeant is an example of why as prosecutors, we approach every case with an eye toward the facts, the evidence, and the law for both the cases we’re currently working on, as well as those from the past."

During a Tuesday court hearing, Judge Erica Reddick approved motions to vacate convictions, sentences and dismiss cases against 19 people.

Attorneys representing 83 people convicted on charges associated with evidence gathered by Watts and a crew of corrupt cops that for more than a decade patrolled the former Ida B. Wells housing project want the court to dismiss all the charges.

County prosecutors said that each of those cases will be reviewed individually, and expect about 50 cases to be overturned.

Attorney Joshua Tepfer, who represents 55 of those people pushing to have their cases dismissed, said prosecutors should drop all the cases. And if they refuse, he will seek individual hearings to present evidence.

"Put my clients on the stand and let them tell their story," Tepfer told NBC5. "Because it is one horrendous story!"